For years, our inner geek has turned to Wired magazine to keep informed on the latest and greatest in science, technology, pop culture, politics, and everything in between. Now for the first time ever, Wired is coming off the pages for the inaugural WIRED 2011 conference at the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London on October 13 and 14 – and we can’t wait.
Thought-leaders from around the globe will present cutting-edge perspectives from their fields including Wired editor-in-chief, Chris Anderson; Werner Vogels, Chief Technology Office and VP of Amazon.com; Gil Hirsch, co-founder and CEP of Face.com; Heather Knight founder of Marilyn Monrobot; Stanley Yang, Chief Executive Office of NeuroSky; and Joanna Shields, VP of Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Facebook.
There’s only one way to get in on all this geeky goodness – set up your inclusive Wired weekend with tickets to the conference and a room at St. Pancras.
The annual MOBO Awards celebrates the UK’s finest urban music (Adele and Jessie J ring a bell?). Now in its 16th year, MOBO will honor the 2011 recipients at a star-studded event on October 5 at Glasglow SECC.
Spunky songstress Jessie J walked away with the most nominations – 5 in total – for Best Album, Best Newcomer, Best UK Act, Best Video and Best Song, with soulful singer Adele following closely with three nominations for Best UK Act, Best Album and Best Song. View all the nominees and cast votes for your favorites here.
For information on attending the 2011 MOBO Awards, visit http://www.mobo.com.
Having never been to England before and had always dreamed of someday visiting, I took a chance and entered to win a trip to London to attend the May 5th Grand Opening of the St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel, a now-completed renovation of a 138-year-old Victorian Gothic building. Lo and behold, I was lucky enough to win—yes, me, Joseph Boltz, from Portland, Oregon, USA. With only a few days’ notice to find my passport, buy a new suit, pack and fly 6,000 miles, I couldn’t have been more excited.
Once I arrived, the hotel took my breath away — it is amazing. Everything is so magnificent, from the external facade to the Grand Staircase inside. The pictures of the hotel just don’t do it justice. Staying in a Chambers Suite was pure luxury, and dining each night at the Chambers Club I was able to savor each dish they had to offer as I relaxed in comfort.
At the Opening Event for the hotel, I was one of hundreds of guests and celebrities that attended, with assorted food, drinks and an RLife LIVE musical performance by Jamie Cullum for our pleasure. Ladies and gentlemen dressed in period attire, meandering around the party and adding to the excitement of the night.
And, of course, once here in London, I had to do the obligatory sightseeing tours. I hopped on and off tour buses, explored several historical sites, including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben, walked across the Tower Bridge, shopped at Leicester Square, rode the London Eye, had fish & chips at Covent Garden Market and took a cruise down the River Thames.
I had a fantastic time while staying at the St Pancras Renaissance London Hotel and hope to return one day soon. It was absolutely magical.
After a £150 million restoration, the St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel held its Grand Opening this past Thursday party to a bevy of A-list celebrities and architecture and design enthusiasts. The party kicked off with a performance by British singer/songwriter Jamie Cullum and catered to a celebrity-packed guest list, including Oscar winner Adrien Brody, Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick, singer/songwriter Sophie Ellis Bextor, actress/model Camilla Rutherford and TV presenter Ben Fogle.
Guests toured the sprawling property, featuring a 542-square meter lobby, Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing’s The Gilbert Scott restaurant, and original murals from the 1800s. Originally opened in 1873 as the Midland Grand Hotel, St. Pancras preserves much of the original High Victorian Gothic architecture, making it one of the city’s greatest recognized landmarks.
Twenty-two foot ceilings, an ornate grand staircase, original murals from the 1800s – and that’s just the beginning. Check out the photos to see for yourself.
Trip details:
- A 3-night stay at St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel
- VIP access to the Grand Opening event featuring a special RLife LIVE artist
- Roundtrip airfare
- Spending money
It’s the trip of a lifetime to a restored historic landmark.
Sweepstakes open to U.S. residents only. Limit one entry per day per contestant. Email address and phone number required for notifying winner only. This Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. For complete Official Rules, click here.
The long-anticipated wait is almost over: On March 14, the St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel will be open to the public. Until then, take in the stunning photos of gothic interior architecture, as well as insider information on the history and construction, from the March issues of Conde Nast Traveler and Vogue, and February’s Modern Railways.
“It’s a step back into the great history of British cooking, with quirky touches such as mini Cornish pasties alongside prawn cocktails, steaks and oysters,” restaurateur Marcus Wareing, whose new venture The Gilbert Scott will open in St. Pancras, told Conde Nast Traveler.
“[Victorial architect] George Gilbert Scott designed every single window in the building with a different surround,” says hotel general manager Kevin Kelly. “In our restoration, we’ve tried to do justice to this great building.”
We’re talking 22-foot ceilings, an ornate grand staircase, and original murals from the 1800s – just a few of the hallmarks of the £150-million-plus restoration. It’s taken 12 years to get here; hopefully you can wait just a little longer until opening day.
More sneak peek photos of St. Pancras after the jump.
London is abuzz with excitement over the opening of the St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel. Slated to open its doors to the public in March 2011, this hotel has been under wraps and renovation for a while and travelers across the globe have been awaiting its makeover. Now that the grand opening date is approaching, other delicious details about the lavish location are coming together… details involving the hotel’s new restaurant.
World-renowned and Michelin-star-holding chef, Marcus Wareing, will be launching his newest restaurant inside the St. Pancras. The Gilbert Scott will be overseen by Wareing’s protégé and sous chef, Chantelle Nicholson. Paying homage to the hotel’s original architect, the restaurant’s menu is bound to complement the grandeur of the building.
‘Tis the season of tricks and treats, but there aren’t any tricks with the autumn treat the spa at Renaissance Chancery Court has just whipped up. The luxurious London spa is a destination for those looking to partake in some pampering. Mindful of the season change, the spa has put together a scrub and massage bundle in honor of fall—a bundle that will vanquish all of your Halloween-costume-choosing anxiety.
You’ll get a sugar and pumpkin scrub, followed by a warm and soothing massage. The entire treatment lasts for 1 hour and 20 minutes… 1 hour and 20 minutes of pure bliss. Get more info at www.spachancerycourt.com.
If you find yourself amidst the hustle and bustle of Fashion Week while in London, we have a solution for you. Renaissance Chancery Court’s bar has whipped up an autumn-appropriate cocktail to celebrate the presence of Fashion Week. The Cream of The Catwalk was designed for fashion queens.
Made of brandy, Drambuie, espresso, and cream, and accessorized with a drizzle of cocoa powder, this drink will leave you feeling purr-fect. Luxurious and classy, comforting and smooth, The Cream of The Catwalk will be available at the hotel’s bar for the duration of September. Enjoy.
During World Cup season, it’s hard not to want to be there…you know…there. But since we don’t yet have a hotel in South Africa, we watch, celebrate, and mourn the same way most people in the rest of the world do: from other locations.
Supporting the USA is done easily enough from almost anywhere in the country—walk into a sports bar, buy a drink, watch, cheer, yell, exit, repeat. Want to support other teams that are doing well from their own home base? Well, we recommend these hotels—not just because they’re Renaissance, but because they also are offering some pretty sweet deals for guests.
GERMANY Renaissance Cologne Hotel
Special: Love with a Bite
What you’ll get: accommodations in a suite, full breakfast buffet, unlimited use of wellness area, candlelight four-course dinner with wine and coffee.
R Life is about your life. It's about bold style. Authentic experience. Real travel (even if it's right near your home). And inspired discussion, peppered with wit and joie de vivre. It's about looking to see what's around the corner, and savoring what's new and different once you're there. Learn More
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